"Mr. Prather was my bus driver back in the day. He liked to drive fast over the big bumps so us kids would jump out of our seats!! He was my favorite. May He rest in peace."
In loving memory of
Charles Larry Prather
February 23, 1939 - April 11, 2021
Charles Larry Prather was born February 23, 1939 to Felix Perry and Bethel Viola (Kraft) Prather in Austin, Texas, and died April 11, 2021 in Shiner, Texas at the age of 82. Larry grew up in East and South Austin. He attended Austin Public Schools.
Larry began his working career at age 11 by setting up pins at a bowling alley located at Riverside Drive and Congress Ave. From there he went to work for Sandy's Frozen Custard on Barton Springs Road. He worked there for 11 years. While working at Sandy's he met Kay Gage and they were married on August 27, 1957. Some years later his father-in-law William Gage had retired and talked him into quitting Sandy's and go into the grocery business. He did and they bought out Crumley's Grocery Store on West Mary in South Austin. While operating West Mary grocery they also purchased St. Elmo Grocery on South First Street, They operated both stores for 10 years. Larry then went to work for Del Valle Independent School district as a bus driver and carpenter. After retiring from D.V. I.S.D., he and Kay purchased Cadillac News Store on E.6th Street. They operated Cadillac News for some years; Larry was a member of St. John-San Juan Lutheran Church.
Larry had passion for traveling. He, Kay and the kids traveled in their Winnebago for years. They visited most of the Western United States. One year the family traveled to Wyoming to see the Frontier Days Rodeo in Cheyenne. Not only did their kids like to travel, so did have the neighborhood. Their favorite travel spot was the Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Larry also liked to travel on cruise ships. On one of the cruises he met Chuck Olsen who owns a travel agency in McAllen, Texas. Chuck and Larry became friends. One day Chuck asked Larry to help him out on an escorted tour because he had more travelers then he could handle. Larry did and he got to travel all over the world with Chuck helping out on escorted tours.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, mother, three brothers and three sisters. Larry is survived by his wife Kay, daughter Elizabeth Kathleen Prather, son Darrell McKinley Prather (Holly), daughters Valeria Karol Magee, Kathryn LuAnne Barnard (Bart), Larri Kay Hammons, Kate Holland Prather. Grandchildren: Kevin Clawson, Brandon Barnard, Jake Clawson, Kolt Barnard (Rebecca), Kase Barnard, Kassie Hammons (Daniel Rodriguez), Clayland Prather, Joey Prather, Julia Prather, and Holland Groubec, and great-grandchildren: Kayla Clawson, Hayden Barnard, Koen Clawson, Laiden Rodriguez, Konstance Barnard, Kolani Barnard, Gabriel Morgan, Lannon Rodriguez, and Axl Barnard. He is also survived by his best friend David Freeman.
Larry's family wishes to thank Callie Tinsley from Texas Home Health and Yolanda and Jessica were the Angels.
Larry will be buried at Fitzhugh Cemetery where his father, mother, brothers and sisters are buried. Pallbearers are his grandsons and great-grandsons, Brandon Barnard, Jake Clawson, Kolt Barnard, Holland Gorubec, Hayden Barnard, and Koen Clawson. Honorary pallbearers are Bart Barnard, Chris Estrada, David Freeman and Darrell Prather.
Visitation will be held at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, on Monday, April 19, 2021 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM. Funeral Services will be private.
Memorials and donations can be made to St. John-San Juan Lutheran Church at 409 W. Ben White Blvd., Austin, Texas 78704.
Tributes
"Will always be rememberedx r I pxx"
"Dear Kay- you may not remember me but Arlene and I have so very fond memories of you and Larry from the pain clinic all those years ago. We were always so jealous of the cruises you led with the \"old people\". It\'s been a lot of years but Larry was someone who you don\'t forget (in a good way)! May his memory be a blessing. Arlene and Lawrence Maze"
"Margaret Berry Dyess April 18, 2021 Kay and family. I?m so sorry for y?all?s loss.. I met Larry 41yrs ago when I first started with Del Valle ISD.. No matter how many times we BUMPED HEADS we always would run into each other with a SMILE AND HOW ARE YOU DOING. If it worn?t for Larry and David I would of never taken the cruise on our Christmas Break in 2004. I had the best time ever with the Prather family.. I had just lost my husband to cancer and my heart was broken. Larry made sure I stayed busy with FAMILY, FRIENDS and LAUGHTER. He set me up with 2 more cruises after that. I?ve let my friends that knew Larry about your loss. My PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF Y?ALL "
"Kay - just heard about Larry?s death! Prayers for you and all his family! Marianne McDonald"
"Kay and Family: Our condolences to you all in the loss of Larry. We considered him to be a vital part of our Wm. B. Travis High School Class of \'56, especially the monthly Chat and Chew group. We all have a lot of great memories of you and Larry as we celebrated life together. Much love to you and your sweet Family. Helen Benner Johnson, Class of 56 Coordinator"
"Dear Kay and Family: Kay, you and I go back longer than you and Larry. When I would come stay with your family we\'d get Billy Joe to ride us down to Sandy\'s where you\'d hang out with Larry and I\'d go across the street and sneak into a baseball game. We\'ve definitely had more good memories than bad. My prayers. Mickey Dorsey"
"No matter how old we are, it\'s never easy to lose a loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve. Tommy and Barbara Owens"